Otter found injured by Taunton road recovering at rescue centre

A tiny otter cub found alone by a main road “has captured the hearts” of her carers.

The animal was hypothermic and lethargic when she was discovered near Taunton, Somerset in October, the RSPCA said.

The cub was taken to Shepton Vets before being transferred to the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre where staff named the otter Iris because of an eye injury.

Iris is now receiving specialist long-term rehabilitation at the UK Wild Otter Trust in Devon.

Lily Herniman, an animal assistant volunteer at the UK Wild Otter Trust, said: “Iris has already captured all our hearts.

“She came to us at a really challenging time for the charity – we’ve recently been given just six months to relocate and start afresh,” she added.

Ms Herniman said: “No matter what else is happening, the welfare of otters like Iris remains at the very heart of everything we do.”

The RSPCA team at West Hatch also treated Iris for bite wounds and scratches.

Once stable enough to travel, she was transferred to her new home in Devon.

Iris is expected to remain in care for up to a year, gaining strength and learning survival skills before returning to the wild.